Rhubarb is an “under-the-radar” type of produce that does not get much love!

Try this rhubarb cookie recipe and let us know what you think:

Frosted Rhubarb Cookies Recipe

48 Servings

Prep: 30 min. Bake: 10 min./batch + cooling

Ingredients

1 cup shortening

1-1/2 cups packed brown sugar

2 eggs

3 cups all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

1-1/2 cups diced fresh or frozen rhubarb

3/4 cup flaked coconut

FROSTING:

1 package (3 ounces) cream cheese, softened

1 tablespoon butter, softened

1-1/2 cups confectioners' sugar

3 teaspoons vanilla extract

Directions

In a large bowl, cream shortening and brown sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in eggs. Combine the flour, baking soda and salt; gradually add to creamed mixture and mix well. Fold in rhubarb and coconut.

4. Soft Lighting – Dim the lights and light some candles throughout the bathroom for a calm, soothing affect.

5. Cucumbers - Drop a few slices into your ice water or place them over your eyes to sooth puffy bags.

Head to Toe Soothers

1. Soak in the tub – When you are feeling stressed, a 15 minute warm bath can help take the edge off. Maximize the skin-softening affect of your bathwater by adding gels, salts or oils.

2. Hydrate your hair – With daily blow drying, styling, and color treatments, your hair can dry out. Use a moisturizing hair mask to rehydrate your hair and give it that “so soft I can run my fingers through it” feel.

3. Exfoliate your skin – Buff away dead skins with an all over foaming sugar scrub. Before showering, massage a palmful of scrub all over your body in a circular motion starting from the neck down.

4. Moisture and massage – Take an extra few minutes after your bath or shower to gently massage moisturizer into your skin. For extra softness, use an oil when your skin is damp to hold moisture on the surface of the skin.

Pedicure Tips

1. Calluses – Conquer calluses when your skin is dry. Exfoliate rough spots with a foot file then soak them for 15 minutes.

2. Scrub away – Use a grainy foot scrub or pumice stone to slough away residual roughness. After rinsing the scrub, dry your feet then apply a thick cream to the tops, soles, heels and nails.

3. Cuticles, clip and color – Use an orange stick to push back your cuticles. Clip your nails and file them straight across in one direction to avoid ingrowns. Apply a nail color that is fun and flirty!

5 Minute No-Color Manicure

1. Get shiny – Smooth your nails with a buffing block. This will leave them glossy and looking like you applied a top coat.

2. Clean up - Brighten the whites of your nails by cleaning underneath with a cotton swab dipped in nail polish remover.

3. Hot oil – Put your bottle of cuticle oil into a mug of hot water for a few minutes then apply to your nails. It is a perfect hydrating finisher.

Friday, April 15, 2011

No, Gwyneth Paltrow has not been abducted by aliens and those are not scars from alien probing.

She was photographed at a movie premiere with the mysterious dark circles on her back - a temporary result from Cupping.

From Olympic swimmers to the Hollywood elite, Cupping is a form of treatment sought after for its benefits.

Cupping is one of the oldest forms of traditional Chinese medicine. It assists in pain reduction (for instance, back and shoulder pain) as well as draws toxins from the skin.

The process is painless, though, intriguing to watch.

Glass cups are warmed using a cotton ball or other flammable substance, which is soaked in alcohol, lit, then placed inside the cup. Burning a substance inside the cup removes all the oxygen, which creates a vacuum.

As the substance burns, the cup is turned upside-down and placed over a specific area. The vacuum created by the lack of oxygen anchors the cup to the skin and pulls it upward on the inside of the glass as the air inside the jar cools. Drawing up the skin is believed to open up the skin's pores, which helps to stimulate the flow of blood, balances and realigns the flow of qi, breaks up obstructions, and creates an avenue for toxins to be drawn out of the body.

The red, circular marks are temporary and diminish over time.

In China, cupping is used primarily to treat respiratory conditions such as bronchitis, asthma, and congestion; arthritis; gastrointestinal disorders; and certain types of pain. Some practitioners also use cupping to treat depression and reduce swelling.

Ruben's goal is to alleviate pain and help clients live pain free. He graduated from Milan Institute in Fairfield, CA in 2009, with certifications in Swedish, Deep Tissue, Prenatal, Hot Stone and chair massage.

In addition, he has been trained and certified in cupping therapy. He has been practicing cupping therapy for over 10 years and feels that this type of therapy can relieve many common pains and loosen tight muscles.

Schedule a service (any massage or cupping therapy) with Ruben and receive 15% off your service. Please print the coupon below and present it at time of service to redeem this special offer. Offer ends April 30, 2011.

Monday, April 4, 2011

Spray on tans is a form of sunless tanning that is becoming increasingly popular as sun worshippers face both a time crunch and a fear of exposure to UV radiation. A spray on tan has no UV exposure and is completely safe from the risks associated with tanning beds. The main advantage of a spray on tan is that it is easy to apply evenly leaving behind fewer tan lines and leaving a warm radiant glow lasting for 7 to 10 days.

On April 23, 2011Green Valley Salon & Spa will be hosting a FREE spray tanning session held outside our salon between 10am & 4 pm when you purchase ONE regular priced tanning session. Buy one get one free!!!!! No appointments taken for the FREE tanning, it is a first come first serve basis. Please follow all tanning protocols for a great tan. Please call for further questions.

Call or stop by Green Valley Salon and Spa to schedule your first Spray Tanning Session of the Spring!